ES2381832A1 - Tray classifier (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

The tray sorter is based on incorporating guide profiles (1) with raceways (2 and 4) for a roller skate (5) with a shank (9) as an element of articulation of arms (6) constituting the links of the corresponding drag chain of the classifier, comprising as support of the goods trays (14) forming a set with respective pushers (15) transversally displaceable by deflection devices established in the posts corresponding to an induction area (31) of the classifier assembly, having means to activate each pusher (15) and unload the goods in respective positions of an exit area (18). The displacement means of the pushers (15) are constituted by deviating mechanisms electromechanically operated. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

Tray Sorter

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a tray sorter, used in industrial facilities for displacement of different types of pieces or objects, configuring a kind of "chain" capable of loading in any point of your tour and download equally at any point of it.

The object of the invention is to achieve a conveyor-classifier capable of traveling a determined length with a trajectory designed for that purpose, serving to classify the goods as required, thanks to an inextensible character of it and the possibility of installing as many driving points as deemed convenient, evenly distributed throughout it, all with a rumorosity low and medium speed mechanical transport of any kind of merchandise

Background of the invention

Conveyors known are known usually "transport chains" precisely because of materialize in a kind of chain, which in closed circuit is driven by a single motor suitable power, said counting chain with sliding means on a fixed profile, which describes the work path, and also having supports Variable configuration, appropriate to the type of product or merchandise to be transported

These conveyors present a problem which focuses primarily on the following aspects:

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The different links in the chain are related to itself with play, so that the whole chain requires tensioning elements, on the one hand they limit the length maximum of the same and on the other generate tensions that must be absorbed by said chain.

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The chain mobilization is carried out through a group preferably consisting of a single gearmotor, located in that point that is considered most convenient of the route of the chain, which is limiting the length of the same because of the progressively bigger tensions that generated along their links, from the end point of return to the point of drag.

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By own preparation of conventional chains, the movement of they generate noises that sometimes exceed levels unacceptable

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The most of the transport chains are destined to goods with specific characteristics, for which they have appropriate links, so that each string must be customized for the specific use it is intended for, which It has a negative impact on the cost level and makes it impossible to use of chains for the transport of other types of goods.

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The shape or trajectory of the tour is often limited due to the difficulties of adapting the chain itself to the same, especially when it is intended that the supports for the merchandise may suffer three-dimensional movements.

In the Spanish Invention Patent P 200702803 an air transporter is described by means of which the problem discussed above, said conveyor being aerial based on the use of a guide profile constituting the suspension and guided means for the drag chain, and where said guide profile is provided with a "Y" groove in the that two sharply inclined raceways are defined that converge towards a strangulated mouth, with raceways laterals established in it and parallel to each other, to displacement of a plurality of united roller skates articulated to one of the ends of respective arms constitutive of the links in the chain itself, which in turn they are articulated together with forks that finish the aforementioned arms and articulated parts between said forks, determinants of relative mobility label, the chain being mobilized with the collaboration of a plurality of properly distributed motor groups throughout of the chain and acting on the latter by friction.

Roller skates have a configuration "Y" with two upper wheels oblique axes correspondence with the raceways of the guide profile, and two lower vertical axis wheels aligned longitudinally, playing these in the strangled mouth of the aforementioned profile guide.

On the other hand, the constitutive arms of the links of the chain, are materialized by two profiles of constant section that they receive at their ends to forks fixable by means of respective screws, and with its lateral branches 90º out of respect for each other, receiving one of these forks to a rod, lower extension of the skate body rolling, and whose rod acts as an articulated joint axis between said fork and a joint piece that joins the head of the second fork of the next arm or link; so articulated, through a pin determining a joint "cardan" type.

As for the driving group or motor-reducer in which it materializes, it has a lower output shaft to which a wheel is associated motor that acts by friction on the constituent arms of the links and articulated connection elements corresponding to the forks, against a second wheel acting as a sufferer mounted with freedom of rotation on a support which in turn will set the drive group.

In this air carrier, the merchandise is it transports or moves through hooks suspended from the guide profiles.

Description of the invention

The classifier object of the invention presents a series of particularities with respect to that defined in that Patent of previous invention P 200702803, deriving the improvements and differences in advantages and new functions, as will be exposed throughout this description.

More specifically, one of the novelties of the invention, always based on the claimed air transporter in that Patent of Invention referred to above, is that the merchandise support loaders consist of a removable tray-pusher assembly, attached that the corresponding constituent of each link arm of the drag chain, with the particularity that in its displacement the tray supports, through some wheels, on the upper and flat surface of a profile fixed between corresponding supports.

Another novelty feature is that each group motor for dragging of the arms or links and therefore of the removable tray-pusher sets, incorporate a analog setpoint converter, allowing synchronization of the speed to the necessary parameter, according to the needs of the installation, transmitting all the drive groups the same power to the chain, so that because this transmission of power is carried out by friction, they allowed small occasional landslides in case of small differences during  starts and stops, which is possible by virtue of incorporating a electromechanical mechanism position detector of the arms themselves constitutive of the links, using encoders and detectors and Turn control of each drive group.

Another novelty feature of the classifier of the invention, is that it includes exit areas and areas of induction, in each of which some positions are established of exit and induction (load of merchandise), respectively.

The side pusher movement for your displacement and carry out the thrust of the corresponding goods (folded clothes, boxes, etc.) located on the trays and carriers of the goods, is done by means of external mechanisms called "deviations" that make a of forces X axis (longitudinal translation) to Y axis (transverse translation), thereby achieving that the merchandise placed on the trays is moved and evacuated by outputs. These "deviations" are logically foreseen in correspondence with the starting points, and where each mechanism Bypass consists of a guide and an arched edge profile constitutive of the diverter proper, the whole being subject to raceways, i.e. guide profiles of the tray.

Said diversion mechanism includes a detector of opening and closing control thereof.

A couple of systems are also planned hardware level control, being a pair composed of Plc, s, that is to say an automaton that performs the control of the machine (signals of detectors and photocells and encoder position, etc.), and a second higher level system consisting of PCs placed in induction stations, (as many PCs as induction stations are placed in the different areas), and in the maintenance post, in this second case for defect control and statistics of stop, lubrication, etc., so that all such hardware is controlled by a superior PC called server, which communicates with the PCs and the Plc, s.

The conveyor-classifier described will be complemented with programs on both PCs and the Plc, s, that realize all the total control of the conveyor-classifier.

Based on the referred characteristics, they are obvious new functions concerning load carriers constituted by the trays, as well as the diversion mechanisms for actuation of the pushers and that they push towards outside the boxes with the goods, in addition to establishing the already commented areas with the starting posts and with the posts of induction.

As is evident, in the referred classifier as many driving groups can be mounted as deemed convenient, which in turn allows installations with variable length for the classifier, and with any trajectory for it.

Likewise, the arms that constitute the links of the drag chain, will have a length enough to allow fixing them to any type of accessory, in this case of the trays, suitable for different types of merchandise, for support, suspension or hanging of the same.

As for the movement of the chain by rolling and friction power transmission, carry an almost total absence of vibrations and mechanical stresses important, generating a safety of march that allows to increase Linear transport speed well above systems Conventional transport

Finally say that the joints between arms constitutive of the links, through the joints labeling lacks clearances, so no tensioning system or dynamic compensation of the extensions of chain.

Description of the drawings

To complement the description that then it will be done and in order to help a better understanding of the features of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical realization thereof, is accompanied as an integral part of that description, a set of drawings in where illustrative and not limiting, it has been represented the next:

Figure 1.- Shows a representation corresponding to a perspective of the guide profile participating in the tray classifier object of the invention.

Figure 2.- Shows a sectional view. cross section of the guide profile shown in the previous figure.

Figure 3.- Shows a perspective view of a guide profile forming a curved section.

Figure 4.- Shows a perspective view of the roller skate that also participates in the classifier of the invention.

Figure 5.- Shows a perspective view of an arm with its two extreme forks and a piece of cardan joint in one of them, as well as one of the links of drag of the classifier of the invention.

Figure 6.- Shows another perspective view, in this case with two arms like the ones in the previous figure, in whose articulated joints are arranged corresponding skates rolling.

Figure 7.- Shows a perspective view of a tray associated with a removable pusher, all forming part of the object of the invention.

Figure 8.- Shows a perspective view of a set of trays-pushers that are dragged by roller skates, through the guide profile.

Figure 9.- Shows a perspective view shape deflection mechanism assembly also involved in the conveyor-classifier of the invention.

Figure 10.- Shows a detail in perspective of the diverter mechanism detector shown in the figure above, to set the open or closed positions of that.

Figure 11.- Shows a perspective view corresponding to the detail of the arm position detector establishing the corresponding link of the drive chain constitutive of the classifier object of the invention.

Figure 12.- Shows a perspective view of the set corresponding to the drive group mounted on the corresponding guide profile.

Figure 13.- Shows a sectional view of a straight profile for sliding the wheels corresponding to the tray-pusher set.

Figure 14.- Shows a sectional view of a profile for straight section on which the wheels rest corresponding to the tray.

Figure 15.- Shows a perspective view of an output area that is part of the classifier object of the invention, where two details corresponding to a full box detector and an exit ramp detector.

Figure 16.- Shows a perspective view of the detail corresponding to the set that form a wheel and its support for support in the corresponding arm guide profile constitutive of the chain link drag.

Figure 17.- Shows a perspective view of an induction area with different induction stations, which also participates in the own conveyor-classifier of the invention.

Figure 18.- Shows a perspective view of a vertical curved section corresponding to a profile set guide, constituent arm of the drag link, and tray-pusher.

Figure 19.- Shows, finally, a general perspective representation of a classifier made according to the object of the invention, where the different parts or assemblies that participate in it.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

As you can see in the referred figures, the Classifier of the invention comprises a guide profile (1) establishing the lane, hit by a groove of section in "Y", opened inferiorly, in which they are defined two lateral and sharply inclined tread planes (2), and a strangled bottom mouth (3), which in turn includes parallel and vertical raceways (4).

Inside the guide profile (1) they move by rolling rolling skates (5), which are attached to the arms (6) constituting the links of the chain of drag, counting each of these a rolling skate with two wheels upper (7) oblique shafts, intended to support and move on inclined raceways (2) and two other wheels lower (8) horizontal axis and in longitudinal alignment, intended to slide through the strangulated mouth (3) of the guide profile (1), rolling interchangeably on any of the side tracks (4).

The rolling skate body (5) is extended inferiorly in a rod (9), this being destined to cross a hole (11) of the lugs corresponding to a fork (10) attachable to one of the ends of the arm (6), by means of a screw, and that at its other end receives another fork (10 ') analogously, but turned 90º with respect to the previous one, standing between the lateral branches of this fork (10 ') a articulation piece (12), preferably a "cardan", which jointly joins the arm (6) through said rod (9) and which in turn joins the other fork (10) of the immediately following arm (6), through the stem (9), thus achieving a three-dimensional articulation patellar arms (6), that is between links of the chain of drag of the own conveyor

As seen in Figures 5 and 6, the means of articulation between arms (6) have an outer section coinciding with the latter, in order to allow the drag of them by the driving groups (13).

Each arm (6) may be equipped with any type of hanger or transport device appropriate to the type of merchandise to be transported, and which in the embodiment of the invention it consists of a tray (14) and a removable pusher (15), forming a set as shown in figure (8), set that is conveniently fixed to arms (6) by corresponding screws, washers and nuts that cross the extreme area of the latter. The trays (14) are affected by holes (17) for detection of the objects or merchandise to be transported, since light beams pass through these holes special photocells, which detect the merchandise in the trays (14) to pass through each position of the induction area that more forward it will be exposed.

For the mobilization of the drag chain well structured and with any path planned for it, in properly distributed points of said trajectory establish the respective driving groups (13), consistent, each one of them, in a motor-reducer with a Integrated analog setpoint converter, which through a support  own (16), is fixed to the support of the guide profile (1), coupling to the motor-reducer output shaft a driving wheel, horizontal, which acts by friction and as opposed to a wheel frame mounted with freedom of rotation on the profile support guide (1) of the chain constituted by the alignment of arms (6) with their corresponding joints, which when not protruding laterally with respect to the constituent profiles of the arms (6), allows a constant motion transmission, that is, without continuity solution.

Logically, at any point or points of the conveyor-classifier trajectory is they will establish the trays (14) together with the removable pusher (15), those assemblies being attached to the arms (6) constituting the drag links conveyor-classifier, union made by screws The set is also complemented by the exit areas (18), with a plurality of exit posts conveniently distributed along the path of the implanted system, and that may be widely variable depending on the type of merchandise to sort out.

The pusher displacement (15) associated with each tray (14) in the positions of the exit area (18), comes made by a diverting device formed by a diverter (19) and a guide (20), such device being activated when a system control sends a signal to the diverter profile itself (19), activating either by an electromagnet or by cylinder tire governed by an electrovalve. The devices of referral referred have control detectors (20) that inform the control system of their position at the time They are acting.

In each diverting device, the conveyor-classifier has a wheel mounted of support (21) on a support (22), as seen in Figure 16, which Its mission is to oppose the efforts generated on the arm (6) during the movement of the pusher (15) of trays (14) in the detours.

For position control of the arm assembly (6) - tray (14), an electromechanical mechanism is provided called arm position detector (6) determining the drag link, as seen in figure 11, whose mechanism sends impulses to a Plc, s, communicating at all times the position of the trays., being that mechanism formed by a wheel (23) with support (24) fixed to the guide profile (1).

At each exit of the exit area (18) you It has box filling signals (25) with the merchandise, such and as seen in figure 15, so that once the full box signal, through a detector (26), a signal to Plc, s, so that it blocks the deviation of said output and cancel the shipment of more merchandise until it is released.

Each starting point of the starting area (18) It has photocells (27) on the exit ramp, so that if said photocells (27) are activated, then the set of the conveyor stops.

In figures 13 and 14 you can see the guide profiles (28 and 29) respectively, for the wheel of the pusher (15) and to support the tray wheel (14), both in a straight section as a curved section, seeing that the profile (29) it presents an upper section (30) that is flat for support precisely of the tray wheel (14).

The described classifier, in addition to the positions Departure from the departures area (18), includes some induction corresponding to induction areas (31), as seen in Figure 17, so that for the control of the merchandise introduced, in each induction station (31) a photocell (32) that determines to which position the merchandise corresponds introduced Once it passes through said control, the photocells communicate to the control system if the tray (14) carries merchandise or It goes empty.

In the induction stalls, the merchandise is entered into the system by operators manually. For that the system records their entry, the operator you will have a manual barcode reader, there is a manual reader for each induction station. Each induction post It has a PC with an interface application with the operator of the Market Stall.

The operator of the induction stations will go receiving the boxes with the merchandise to be classified.

The first thing the operator should do is read the barcode of the same so that the induction application will show the necessary quantity of the reference on the screen.

Once the induction application gives you the OK on screen to the reference you will enter, the operator will go leaving a unit (garment, box, etc.) in each empty tray that Go through your induction stand.

In each induction post there are some sensors that verify that the tray carries the product that the operator has deposited to go descontándola needs of distribution. The operator will see on the application screen of induction the amounts that are left to be distributed from the active reference that is being distributed in its induction. Must take into account that other operators in other induction positions they may be giving the same reference as him, so the system can be deducted from the amount pending several units at a time. The application will also show you in that inductions in addition to yours the same is being distributed reference.

The configuration of the output areas and induction, can be one or two, and composed of a number of positions ranging from one to five in each area, depending on the quantity of merchandise to be placed for each induction post, varying by the type of merchandise to introduce.

The classifier has two system of hardware level control, consisting of Plc, s (i.e. PLC) for operation control and a second system superior determined by several PCs, placed in the positions of induction (31) and at the maintenance post, and all this controlled by a server consisting of a superior PC, and whose server communicates logically with PCs and Plc, s.

Claims (9)

1. Tray sorter, which being constituted from a guide profile (1) duly fixed through appropriate supports and describing a closed path, that guide profile (1) constituting the means of suspension and guidance for the corresponding drag links of a chain where each link is formed by an arm (3), said drag chain in turn having means of transporting the goods, and where the guide profile (1) incorporates a "Y" groove in which two sharply inclined raceways (2) are defined, which converge towards a strangulated mouth (3) with lateral raceways (4) parallel to each other, for displacement of a plurality of roller skates (5) articulated to one of the ends of said arms (6) constituting the links of the drag chain, the arms (6) being articulated jointly with each other by means of forks (10 and 10 ') in which said braz are finished off os (6) and articulation pieces (12) established in the forks (10 '), determining a relative rotational mobility, and said drag chain being mobilized with the collaboration of a plurality of drive groups (13) properly distributed to throughout that, it is characterized in that each driving group (13) incorporates an analog setpoint converter that makes the speed of all the driving groups (13) the same, with the particularity that the means of transport are constituted by sets formed by trays (14) and removable pushers (15) associated with them and with a transversely displaceable character for the unloading of the goods on positions established in an exit area (18), also having an induction area (31) with different induction stations, in which respective operators manually place the goods; each induction station incorporating a PC with an interface application with the operator of the position. 2. Tray sorter, according to claim 1, characterized in that each drive group (13) with its corresponding analog setpoint converter is fixed to a support (16) mounted on the guide profile itself (1), at any suitable point designate for that purpose, it being provided that said drive group (13) has a lower output shaft to which is associated a driving wheel that acts by friction on the arms (6). 3. Tray classifier according to claim 1, characterized in that the trays (14) are affected by holes (17) for detecting the merchandise when passing through the positions of the induction area (31), said detection being carried out by means of corresponding photocells. 4. Tray classifier according to claim 1, characterized in that each pusher (15) of the trays (14) is movable in the exit positions corresponding to the exit area (18), by actuation of a diverting device formed by a profile diverter (19) and a guide (20); each bypass device being associated with a control system for activation, either by an electromagnet or by an electrovalve. 5. Tray classifier according to claim 1, characterized in that an electromechanical mechanism for detecting the positions of the arms (6) constituting the links is included, by means of encoders and detectors and rotation control of each driving group (13), the mechanism being detector formed by a wheel (23) with support (24) fixed to the guide profile (1), allowing, after sending the corresponding impulses to a Plc, s, the position of the trays (14) at each moment. 6. Tray sorter, according to claim 1, characterized in that in the positions of the exit area (18) means corresponding to box filling signals (25) are provided, which send a signal to a receiver (26) Plc, s, to block the corresponding diverting device at each exit of the exit area (18), each of said outputs having provided photocells (27) in correspondence with the exit ramp, for stopping the conveyor- classifier when said photocells (27) are activated. 7. Tray sorter according to claim 1, characterized in that in each induction station sensors are provided for verification that each tray (14) transports the merchandise that the operator has deposited. 8. Tray classifier, according to previous claims, characterized in that profiles (28 and 29) are included, both for straight sections and for curved sections of wheels for the wheels of the tray assembly (14) - pusher (15) and for sliding support of the wheels of the tray (14), the profile (29) having a flat upper section (30) to support said wheels of the tray (14). 9. Tray classifier, according to previous claims, characterized in that it includes means of control of operation based on Plc, s and PCs placed in the positions of the induction area (31) and in the maintenance post, all of them controlled by a server that communicates with these PCs and the Plc, s.